If you’re not in a formal appellate role, you can still build experience in practical ways.

This misconception can be discouraging for those that do not fit the preconceived mold. In fact, many talented law students and lawyers talk themselves out of exploring appellate opportunities before they have even tried, often because they do not know where or even if they can start.

Appellate practice is a specialized area that can sometimes feel unreachable. It is writing-centered, rules-heavy, and often shaped by exposure to appellate work.

Too many talented lawyers don't pursue appellate careers simply because they don't know the field is open to them — or how to get started.

Decisions that affect entire communities are happening in appellate court rooms. When the lawyers and judges in these spaces reflect those communities, the system is better positioned to deliver equal justice and strengthen public trust in the courts.

Over the past six years, TAP has supported more than 600 law students from over 100 law schools, built a network of over 1,000 volunteers, and helped shift the culture of one of the most elite corners of the legal system. Today, we're taking that work further.

Breaking into appellate law shouldn’t feel impossible. As TAP alum Marquan Robertson shared in his story with the American Bar Association’s  Student Lawyer magazine, at every stage of his journey to appellate practice, there were mentors who believed in him and told him he belonged.

Many law students pursuing appellate careers can get caught up in whether they've checked every box — and when their path doesn't match a rigid standard, it's easy to become discouraged.

Clerkships are one of the most formative experiences an aspiring appellate lawyer can have, but they're also difficult to access without the right guidance and community behind you.

TAP Alum Juliana Chang, Judicial Law Clerk for the U.S. District Courts, will clerk for Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson during the 2026-2027 Supreme Court term.

Appellate court decisions affect every aspect of our lives—from voting rights to housing discrimination to healthcare access. These courts review disputes that came from trial courts, but the legal principles they establish ripple far beyond individual cases.

Appellate decisions shape civil liberties at scale. When the Supreme Court rules on voting rights, reproductive healthcare, or housing discrimination, that interpretation determines how those constitutional protections apply to millions of people.

Appellate courts don't just resolve individual disputes—they set the precedent that shapes how the law gets interpreted and applied going forward.

Sometimes, a single unexpected moment can change the course of your career.

Transformation begins with your presence in spaces that need to change. Sarah Lahlou-Amine, shareholder at Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney PC and TAP volunteer, reminds us that showing up authentically in legal spaces creates ripples that benefit everyone, not just those who look like you.

Behind every successful appellate advocate is someone who extended a hand.

We're proud to reshare the story of Ashwin Phatak, Principal Deputy Solicitor General at the Office of the Attorney General for the District of Columbia and TAP volunteer, in celebration of AAPI Heritage Month.

Diverse lawyers from underrepresented backgrounds and educational institutions strengthen our legal system.

Aspiring appellate lawyers without insider connections often assume the path into appellate law isn't meant for them, so they stay quiet about their goals and self-select out before anyone even has the chance to support them.

TAP Alum Darryl E. Williams, Jr., current Supreme Court and Appellate associate at Hogan Lovells, will clerk for Justice Ketanji Brown-Jackson during the 2026-2027 Supreme Court term. He's only the second Howard Law graduate to clerk at the Supreme Court—the first since the 1980s.

For Samantha Maltais, a judicial law clerk and TAP alumna, the stakes of appellate law have never been abstract. As a Native attorney, she understands deeply how a single ruling can bind entire tribal communities — shaping their past, their present, and their future.

This month, we recognize Arab American Heritage Month — honoring the generations of Arab Americans who have shaped American culture, communities, and institutions, and who continue to do so.

When appellate decisions are made without the perspectives of people who've lived their consequences, something essential is missing from the law itself.

Law students frequently approach clerkships with a singular focus on prestige, often at the expense of finding positions that genuinely advance their career objectives. The truth is that the "best" clerkship isn't necessarily the most highly ranked.

Law students often wonder how their unique backgrounds "fit" into the appellate world. What many don't realize: chambers actively need clerks with different lived experiences to strengthen judicial decision-making.

A state court clerkship can be a powerful stepping stone towards diverse, high-level legal careers. As we continue to demystify common myths around state court clerkships, we tackle Myth #3: "A state court clerkship won’t help if you aspire to work in Big Law or the federal bench."

State court clerkships involve deeply engaging work on critical legal questions. Today in our series debunking state court clerkship myths, we’re addressing another common myth about state court clerkships:

State supreme & appellate court clerkships carry enormous influence and prestige. Last week, we shared resources that explain the influence and impact the state courts have on issues affecting people’s rights.

Clerkships offer unmatched training for appellate advocates, from offering experience on a breadth of legal issues to understanding how judges weigh complex arguments.

Clerkships are valuable, but they come with real challenges that can disproportionately affect students without financial cushions or built-in support systems.